Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Match the Famous Piece of Art to Its Movement?

Gavin Thagard

Image: Ermell via WikiCommons

About This Quiz

If we know anything about the arts, from painting to literature, it's that these creative endeavors are never stagnant. They are constantly growing and evolving with the times, as artists try to adapt and build to put their own stamp on an art period. How familiar are you with the famous paintings associated with various art movements throughout the centuries? Here's a quiz where you can find out.

When you study art movements, you learn that they are built around common goals that artists are trying to accomplish as a collective. These goals have a built-in philosophy which provides that collective group with an ability to thread their work together into a specific period of time, as they distinguish themselves from what came before and what will come after. These changes in art give us not only a glimpse of the artists and what they were thinking but also a view of how the world was interpreted during different eras.

Do you know how all of these different eras were defined? From the early Romanesque works to movements launched in the 20th century, will you be able to identify all of the art pieces that fall under each movement?

If you're prepared to put your art history knowledge up against a real test, jump back in time by matching these art pieces to their movement.

Wiki Commons by Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David painted "The Coronation of Napoleon" in which style to honor Napoleon Bonaparte?

Baroque

Realism

Romanticism

Neoclassicism

As Neoclassicism became prevalent across Europe, the style relied on the traditional hierarchy initiated by the French Royal Academy of the Arts. This hierarchy placed history paintings at the forefront, and these paintings became central in the Neoclassical movement.

Wiki Commons by Leonardo da Vinci

Can you identify the movement where "The Last Supper" became a central piece?

Renaissance

Romanesque

Gothic

Rococo

Though the Renaissance influenced art across the European continent, Italy proved to be the leading center of the movement. No two cities in Italy were more important during this time than Florence and Rome.

WikiCommons Public Domain

"Paris: A Rainy Day" was an example of what art movement from the 19th century?

Romanticism

Realism

Impressionism

Post-Impressionism

Impressionism was a reaction to the rapid industrialization that engulfed much of the world at the end of the 19th century. The style depicted this period of urbanization as chaotic and isolating.

Wiki Commons by Rosa Bonheur

What movement required Rosa Bonheur to dress as a man to paint "The Horse Fair"?

Symbolism

Realism

Baroque

Gothic

Realism was a reaction to the increasing importance of science in modern society due to the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution. The movement, which relied on ideas of empiricism and positivism, sought to capture only what the artist viewed as real.

Wiki Commons by Georges Seurat

Pointillism was a key component in creating "A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte" as part of which movement?

Primitivism

Impressionism

Neo-Impressionism

Cubism

Neo-Impressionism pushed the boundaries of the Impressionist works that preceded the former's movement. This new style tried to systematically examine the potential uses of both form and color.

Wiki Commons by Duccio di Buoninsegna

Do you know the movement associated with "Stroganoff Madonna and Child"?

Romanesque

Gothic

Renaissance

Rococo

The term Gothic comes from the Nordic tribes that brought an end to the Western Roman Empire starting in the fifth century. In reference to art, the term contrasted this new "barbaric" style with the classical style that preceded it.

Wiki Commons by Mariordo (Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz)

Which movement did "The Night Watch" help usher in?

Baroque

Romanticism

Symbolism

Expressionism

As with most early art movements, Baroque started in Italy before spreading throughout Europe near the end of the Renaissance. Important artists under this movement included Caravaggio, Diego Velazquez and Rembrandt.

Wiki Commons by Gustave Courbet

Are you familiar with the movement most closely associated with "The Stone Breakers"?

Neo-Impressionism

Futurism

Impressionism

Realism

Realism found subjects of everyday life to be the most appealing for the artwork. On the contrary, they detested historical paintings because they weren't realistic and didn't live in the present.

WikiCommons Public Domain

Known for its coloring, "The Swing" was painted by Jean-Honore Fragonard, a master of what art movement?

Rococo

Realism

Symbolism

Baroque

The Rococo movement came about after the death of Louis XIV of France, who was a patron of the arts and inspired artists to take residence in the court of Versailles. With Louis dead, these artists left the court for town houses across Paris.

Wiki Commons

Have you studied enough art to recognize the movement associated with "The Scream"?

Cubism

Expressionism

Symbolism

Primitivism

Originating in Germany, Expressionism started at the beginning of the 20th century, evolving from the Symbolist movement that came before it. Expressionism sought to capture the anxiety and feeling of isolation that engulfed those who felt lost as the world globalized around them.

Wiki Commons by Master of Taüll

This 12th century painting, known as "Apse of Sant Climent de Taull," was created during which movement?

Baraque

Gothic

Renaissance

Romanesque

Romanesque, as the name suggests, created art in the manner of the Romans. The term, however, wasn't first used to describe such art until art historians reflected back on the period in the early 19th century.

Wiki Commons by Thomas Cole

A representation of the earth's grandeur, do you recall what movement saw the creation of "The Oxbow" by Thomas Cole?

Futurism

Realism

Romanticism

Post-Impressionism

If you want to find the roots of Romanticism, look no further than the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. His views that people are born free despite being forced into chains influenced Romantic artists to look for freedom wherever they could find it.

Wiki Commons by Claude Monet

Can you name the movement connected to Claude Monet and his painting "Poppies"?

Primitivism

Impressionism

Baroque

Symbolism

A contrast to Realism, Impressionism looked at the fleeting moments of life that pass us by. The movement conveyed this theme of elusiveness by utilizing broken brush strokes and placing figures randomly throughout the composition.

Wiki Commons by Thomas Gainsborough

Were you paying enough attention in art history class to remember the movement related to "The Blue Boy"?

Romanticism

Realism

Renaissance

Rococo

Artists who were part of the Rococo movement utilized softer pastel colors in their artwork. This coloring style, evident in "The Blue Boy," reflected the lightheartedness associated with the wealthy classes across France.

Wiki Commons by Diego Velázquez

"Las Meninas," created by the brilliant Spanish painter Diego Velazquez, was part of what movement?

Baroque

Impressionism

Post-Impressionism

Neo-impressionism

Baroque was derived from the Portuguese term "barroco," meaning an irregularly shaped pearl. This term fit the Baroque period, as the movement was known for its lavish yet unique style.

Wiki Commons by Henri Rousseau

How familiar are you with the movement that saw the creation of "Sleeping Gypsy"?

Futurism

Expressionism

Primitivism

Symbolism

As with most Modern art, Primitivism relied less on aesthetic and more on diverse cultural attitudes. Specifically, Primitivism found inspiration from non-Western traditions found in more tribal settings.

Wiki Commons by Paul Cézanne

Which style did Paul Cezanne use to paint "Basket of Apples"?

Post-Impressionism

Symbolism

Realism

Cubism

While Post-Impressionists relied on the subjective approach to art used by Impressionists, they did not have a unified aesthetic that defined their work. Instead, they sought to explore the thoughts of the artists.

Wiki Commons by Jacques-Louis David

Painted during the French Revolution, "Death of Marat" came out of what movement?

Romanticism

Realism

Neo-Impressionism

Neoclassicism

No painter was more influential during the Neoclassical movement than Jacques-Louis David. His paintings, such as "Death of Marat," became closely connected to the French Revolution, a period that allowed David to expand his influence over art.

Wiki Commons by Leonardo da Vinci

Do you remember the movement associated with "Mona Lisa"?

Gothic

Renaissance

Romanesque

Rococo

Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" contrasted many societal norms associated with 16th century Europe. Instead of depicting a member of the higher classes, da Vinci's painting shows a woman of lower status as an individual rather than as an object of admiration.

Wiki Commons by Henry Ossawa Tanner

"The Thankful Poor" relied on everyday subjects to connect the piece to which art movement?

Romanticism

Impressionism

Realism

Futurism

"The Thankful Poor" is an example of how Realist painters carefully studied nature to create their scenes. The painting uses immense light to fill the room while capturing the intense act of prayer occurring between the two subjects.

Wiki Commons by Juan Gris

Are you able to identify the style used by Juan Gris to paint "Portrait of Pablo Picasso"?

Symbolism

Dadaism

Fauvism

Cubism

Cubism was heavily influenced by Paul Cezanne, who experimented with the hidden architecture of form. Pulling from Cezanne, Cubist artists, such as Pablo Picasso, used fragmented geometric forms to create a series of vantage points in an art piece.

Wiki Commons by Caravaggio

A master of light and shadow, what art movement was "Death of the Virgin" by Caravaggio painted during?

Renaissance

Baroque

Romanesque

Symbolism

As shown in "Death of the Virgin," Baroque art pulled from religious motifs to capture a feeling of meaningfulness. Caravaggio accomplished this by the typical Baroque use of rich colors while exploring realism that relied on everyday people as models.

Wiki Commons by Simone Martini

Does your love of art extend back far enough to identify the movement associated with "Annunciation with St. Margaret and St. Ansanus"?

Romanesque

Renaissance

Gothic

Rococo

Though the Gothic style is typically viewed in terms of architecture, it did find its way into paintings as well. "Annunciation with St. Margaret and St. Ansanus" was one such example, which utilized the luxurious patterns and an intricate frame often associated with French Gothic.

Wiki Commons by Camille Pissarro

Can you identify the art movement that saw the creation of "La Recolte des Foins, Eragny"?

Neo-Impressionism

Symbolism

Expressionism

Romanticism

Pointillism was one of the major techniques explored in the Neo-Impressionist movement by artists like Camille Pissarro in "La Recolte des Foins, Eragny." The technique required that an artist observe and separate colors for an image then apply them through a series of tiny dots.

Wiki Commons by Jean-Honoré Fragonard

Under which movement did Jean-Honore Fragonard paint "The Stolen Kiss"?

Neoclassicism

Rococo

Futurism

Baroque

Coming from the Venetian School, Rococo artists found erotic subjects appealing, which was depicted in their artwork. These subjects were often the result of a life of leisure that many in the upper French society enjoyed in the early-18th century.

Wiki Commons by Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Kandinsky hoped to find the transformative power of art when he created "Improvisation 28," which was part of what movement?

Symbolism

Cubism

Expressionism

Futurism

Expressionists like Wassily Kandinsky hoped to not only capture their own expressive feelings in their art but also to elicit a response from viewers. Kandinsky accomplished this by relying on an avant-garde style that utilized complete abstraction.

Wiki Commons by Théodore Géricault

Mental patients were occasionally a subject in art of which movement, like in "Insane Woman" by Theodore Gericault?

Romanticism

Realism

Gothic

Renaissance

Theodore Gericault displayed in "Insane Woman" the interest that Romantic artists had in those considered to have a deranged state of mind. His piece looked at how mental states reflect the true character of a subject.

Wiki Commons by Berthe Morisot

What movement provided Berthe Morisot with the framework to create "In a Villa at the Seaside"?

Symbolism

Neo-Impressionism

Post-Impressionism

Impressionism

Occasionally, works within the Impressionist movement sought to represent an escape from the city life. That's the case for "In a Villa at the Seaside," which shows a scene of a seaside resort with a woman relaxing under a shaded veranda.

Wiki Commons by John Everett Millais

You might know that "Ophelia" by John Everett Millais depicts a tragic scene from a Shakespeare play, but do you know the movement it's associated with?

Symbolism

Romanticism

Realism

Expressionism

Some Realist painters, like John Everett Millais, broke away from strict Realist practices that ignored historical and fictional subjects. While sticking to other traditions of Realism, these artists started a group known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

Wiki Commons by Luigi Russolo

How familiar are you with the art movement that includes "Dynamism of a Car"?

Futurism

Symbolism

Expressionism

Cubism

Futurist artists found inspiration in progress and modernity that came to define the 20th century. As machines rose to prominence, these artists wanted to separate themselves from any traditional artistic associations.

Wiki Commons by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres [Public domain]

Are you capable of naming the movement connected to "The Princess de Broglie"?

Rococo

Baroque

Impressionism

Neoclassicism

Coming during a time when new ideas were flowing across the Western world, Neoclassicism relied heavily on the ideals of the Enlightenment. The movement's focus turned to classical societies, like Greece and Rome, as it tried to capture the geometric harmony of classical art.

Wiki Commons by Johannes Vermeer

Do you recall the art movement that brought us "The Love Letter" by Johannes Vermeer?

Neoclassicism

Baroque

Renaissance

Romanticism

Baroque art cannot be understood without looking at the importance of drama within the movement. The style was able to incorporate drama by utilizing contrasts between light pouring in and intense shadows.

Wiki Commons by Rafael

This artwork, referred to as "The School of Athens," represents which art movement?

Rococo

Neoclassicism

Romanesque

Renaissance

The Renaissance represented a period of high learning, and no painting depicted this concept better than "The School of Athens" by Raphael. In the piece, Raphael brings together a congregation of the great thinkers of ancient societies from Plato and Aristotle.

Wiki Commons by Caspar David Friedrich

Can you name the art movement where "Wanderer Above the Sea Fog" found a home?

Romanticism

Realism

Symbolism

Futurism

Seeking to express its view on human freedom, Romanticism pushed the notion that the imagination will lead to one being free over reason. The artists associated with this movement believed that the imagination was a pure expression of how we all feel.

Wiki Commons by François Boucher

Have you studied enough about art movements to name the one tied to "Madame Bergeret"?

Neoclassicism

Rococo

Impressionism

Neo-impressionism

No artist was more popular during the height of the Rococo movement than Francois Boucher, who painted "Madame Bergeret." Boucher became known for his depiction of aristocrats, who he portrayed with a sense of elegance.

Wiki Commons by Gustav Klimt

Which 20th century art movement does "The Kiss" by Gustave Klimt belong to?

Cubism

Fauvism

Symbolism

Expressionism

In Symbolism, artists found that they could be more expressive by inserting meaning behind the elements within their work like forms, lines and colors. This movement was one of the forerunners of Modern art because it brought about psychological truth through a hidden world.

Wiki Commons by Jean-François Millet

Are you familiar with the art movement associated with "The Gleaners"?

Romanticism

Renaissance

Realism

Impressionism

As seen in "The Gleaners," realist painters often traveled to the countryside to find subjects that more closely reflected their style. Jean-Francois Millet even took up residence in a village called Barbizon, where he established the Barbizon School to better explore this style.

WikiCommons by Vincent van Gogh

One of the most famous pieces of art, "The Starry Night," was produced as part of which movement?

Symbolism

Post-Impressionism

Cubism

Futurism

Evocative colors that relied on emotional expression was an important component of Post-Impressionism. Using a range of rich colors, these artists were able to capture a more imaginative view of what they were representing.

Wiki Commons By Édouard Manet

What art movement inspired Edouard Manet to create "Bar at the Folies-Bergere"?

Impressionism

Post-impressionism

Symbolism

Cubism

Impressionists used very pure colors to more accurately capture how light reflects across the world around us, but this technique required them to paint distorted images. At the time of the movement, they were often criticized for what was perceived as unfinished work.

Wiki Commons by Caspar David Friedrich

Under which movement do art historians classify "The Abbey in the Oakwood"?

Impressionism

Realism

Neoclassicism

Romanticism

Though some art historians say Romanticism began in the 1750s, its birth wasn't clear until it fully separated itself from Neoclassicism. However, this separation wasn't evident until the beginning of the 19th century.

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